Woman bites tongue of Stamford sex attacker

Police arrest man seeking medical treatment

Updated 2:15 pm, Saturday, June 25, 2011

A man was arrested for trying to sexually assault a woman in a pathway between St. John’s church and the rectory in downtown Stamford on Thursday night. The woman was able to repel the attacker after biting off about an inch of the man’s tongue, police said. less

A man was arrested for trying to sexually assault a woman in a pathway between St. John’s church and the rectory in downtown Stamford on Thursday night. The woman was able to repel the attacker after biting ... more

A man was arrested for trying to sexually assault a woman in a pathway between St. John’s church and the rectory in downtown Stamford on Thursday night. The woman was able to repel the attacker after biting off about an inch of the man’s tongue, police said. less

A man was arrested for trying to sexually assault a woman in a pathway between St. John’s church and the rectory in downtown Stamford on Thursday night. The woman was able to repel the attacker after biting ... more

A man was arrested for trying to sexually assault a woman in a pathway between St. John’s church and the rectory in downtown Stamford on Thursday night. The woman was able to repel the attacker after biting off about an inch of the man’s tongue, police said. less

A man was arrested for trying to sexually assault a woman in a pathway between St. John’s church and the rectory in downtown Stamford on Thursday night. The woman was able to repel the attacker after biting ... more

Gerard Michael Landon of Stamford was arrested following an alleged attempted sexual assault Friday night near the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist church downtown. The woman he allegedly assaulted bit nearly an inch of Landon's tongue off after he tried to kiss her. Landon is being held on $500,000 bond and is expected to appear in state Superior Court in Stamford on Monday. less

Gerard Michael Landon of Stamford was arrested following an alleged attempted sexual assault Friday night near the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist church downtown. The woman he allegedly assaulted bit ... more

Photo: Contributed Photo

Woman bites tongue of Stamford sex attacker

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STAMFORD -- A woman leaving a downtown church Thursday night repelled a sexual assault by biting nearly an inch off the assailant's tongue after he grabbed her and forced his tongue into her mouth, police said.

A Stamford man with a history of psychological problems was taken into custody at 11:30 a.m. Friday after seeking medical treatment for his tongue at a Bedford Street massage/ chiropractic clinic. Gerard Michael Landon, 46, of 40 Clinton Ave., was held by police after a foot pursuit to the Ridgeway Shopping Center and taken to Stamford Hospital for a psychological evaluation, said Stamford Police Capt. Richard Conklin.

Landon, a native of the Virgin Islands, was released to police and charged with criminal attempt at first-degree sexual assault, first-degree unlawful restraint and second-degree strangulation. Landon is being held on $500,000 bond and is expected to be arraigned in state Superior Court on Stamford on Monday.

According to police, the woman was approached by Landon as she was exiting the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist on Atlantic Street. In a pathway between the church and the rectory, Landon allegedly asked the woman, who is in her 50s, for a hug. When the woman refused, Landon grabbed her and while she screamed for help wrestled her to the ground in some bushes and flowers along the alleyway. While he was trying to sexually assault her, Landon kissed the woman and forced his tongue into her mouth. When the woman bit down on his tongue, the man stopped his attack and ran away, Conklin said.

"It was a substantial piece of his tongue," said Stamford Police Sgt. Paul Guzda. "About an inch worth."

Police recovered the readily identifiable piece of tongue at the scene of the attack between the stone church and clapboard rectory, Guzda said.

"We put a notice out to area hospitals," Guzda said.

A St. John's priest heard screams from the woman and looked out the window saw the man run away, Guzda said.

Prior to being taken into custody on Friday, Landon allegedly grabbed a woman's breasts and poked his umbrella at another woman near the Ridgeway Shopping Center, Conklin said.

The health receptionist at the Bedford Street clinic called police to report Landon after she read the story about the attempted attack on stamfordadvocate.com.

"He walked in and asked if we could help with his tongue and he stuck his tongue out and it was really gross," said Jessica, who asked not to identify her by her last name. "I was like, `no, we can't.' "

She referred the man to a dentist in the next building.

"I didn't think anything out of the ordinary. I just thought he was weird," Jessica said.

Staff writer John Nickerson can be reached at john.nickerson@scni.com or (203) 964-2320.